Give Thanks
Do you give thanks to God often? Or does your thankfulness depend on how you feel or whether your circumstances are good? If the latter is true, you would agree that giving thanks to God despite hardships is indeed a work of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is filled with commands to give thanks to God, so it must be important. But why? One reason is that thanking God acknowledges that everything you have comes from your Creator. So, the challenge is to thank God even in adversity.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
Our ways are not God’s ways. Hence, if we want to be thankful, even in difficulties, we must first admit that this is not our natural state of mind. So then, how can we give thanks when we don’t feel like it?
When It’s Hard to Give Thanks
Thanksgiving will soon be here. And this holiday often stirs up different emotions, depending on what is happening in our lives. For some, it will be hard to give thanks to God because they desperately prayed for something but have come up empty-handed. While others are still grieving a loss, and the plate missing from the Thanksgiving table is only a painful reminder.
When adversity struck my household, I still remember the struggle to keep my faith as a young Christian. Back then, I doubted I even knew the command to thank God in all circumstances. But the tough times began with a series of events that left my husband, Rodger, unemployed on and off for five years.
I still remember the shock of not being able to afford a hamburger. But I also remember being humbled yet grateful for the church food boxes at the door. Of course, there was stress, especially on Rodger, which also affected our family.
Moreover, my heart would ache at the awkwardness he felt whenever someone asked him what he did for a living. So, besides the financial pressure, Rodger also endured feeling less valued because he did not have a job. And added to all of this, I left home, and ministry work for employment, which further impacted the family.
God’s Will is to Give Thanks
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Do you read this verse and immediately respond, ” That’s impossible to obey?” Well, you are right if joy and thankfulness depend on you or how you feel. But when you rely on God by faith, He always enables you to do what He asks you to do. Now, re-read the verse and notice that you are to thank God in everything, not for everything that happens to you.
Try to be joyful always, and you will soon see that it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not human effort. Thus, joy is not determined by how you feel or what happens in your life. So, likewise, to pray continually is only possible when you trust in the finished work of Christ to do the will of God. Indeed, when you have Jesus, you have everything you need.
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 7:25-26
Give Thanks in All Circumstances
God understands that it is humanly impossible to be thankful in all circumstances. Therefore, He promises to help you because all things are possible when you trust in Him.
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. Psalm 72:12; Isaiah 41:13
Your faith in God will be tested whenever life throws you a curveball. Unbelief is where the spiritual battle rages, especially when you don’t see anything happening. Then, the temptation is to doubt God and not thank Him.
In addition, you are especially susceptible when you neglect God’s Word. So, first, confess any unbelief or bitterness that you have. Next, pick up your Bible and ask God to strengthen your faith and cling to His promises as you read. Jesus wants to be your source of forgiveness, comfort, strength, and hope daily.
Give Thanks for God’s Provision
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:8-10
When you believe God’s Word, you trust that God will do what He promises. For example, when you believe God’s promises to provide, you will be confident and refuse to worry. However, when you doubt God’s goodness, you often blame God instead of thanking Him. Consider then that you may be mad at God and not realize it.
And this is where my husband found himself one day when he finally hit bottom. Rodger had reached his lowest point and was mad at God. So, he left the house to walk out of desperation. And as Rodger walked, he later told me that he poured out his raw but honest emotions to God. Finally, he said to God, I surrender. I accept your will, whatever happens.
Thank God Because He Cares for You
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10
Soon after that, Rodger answered an ad in the newspaper, and a company hired him. Surprisingly, He worked for that company for the next 32 years. Furthermore, as the company changed and evolved, he became an owner and is now retired.
Rodger managed to hold on to faith and hope over those five years, but God wanted his total surrender. This didn’t happen until he completely lost hope, and desperation took its place. How about you? Are you ready to accept God’s plan for your life even if it doesn’t make sense? If so, tell God now.
Indeed, this trial produced much spiritual growth for both of us. And this is because we experienced all the ways God provided for us during that time. Consequently, we got to know God better, and our faith grew more resilient than it was before.
These trials have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7
The Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and praise often intersect in the spiritual realm. For, you cannot praise and worship God without also being thankful. So, you might ask, how is it a sacrifice to praise and thank God? To answer, think how hard it is to thank and praise God when you suffer in any way.
Indeed, it is the hardest thing to praise God when everything is going wrong in your life, and you see no way forward. Therefore, it is called the “sacrifice of praise.”
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16.
So, the next time you face an ordeal, rely on the Lord Jesus Christ instead of gritting your teeth to endure on your own. Know that God never wastes anything but works everything together for your good and His glory. Hence, if you presently face obstacles and challenges, thank God that His Presence is always with you, and He is in control.
So, to summarize, only those who walk by faith and not by sight will give God the sacrifice of praise. For it is God alone, who enables you to thank Him despite your circumstances as you trust in Him.
Give Thanks to God and Silence the Enemy
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2
Praise and thanksgiving to God are highly effective weapons because they silence the enemy. Satan hates the worship of God, so when you thank God for suffering instead of complaining, the enemy is silenced. For example, when tragedy struck Job, he surrendered to God’s will instead of doubting His goodness. And even though he lost everything, he said, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”
So, remember this the next time adversity comes, and you find yourself tempted to doubt God’s goodness and His love for you. Instead, believe He will hold you by your right hand and provide you with the strength and power to persevere. And thank God that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Believe God’s Word and Give Thanks
God’s Word is essential to your walk with God because faith comes when you believe God’s Word and act on it. So, the Book of Psalms particularly will encourage you to see all the ways you can give thanks to God.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalms 5:3
Father God, I believe you hear and answer my prayer. So, I will pray about what concerns me today and leave my burdens with you in exchange for your peace. And I will remember that you are in control even when it does not look like it.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are righteous, so I trust your plans for my life by faith. Indeed, words cannot express how grateful I am for the unconditional love you have for me, now and forever.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Lord God, I am so grateful that you speak to me through your Word and guide my way when I cannot see. So, please help me to trust in you and not myself.
Thank God You Belong to Him
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that I belong to you, and you are my source of peace. So, I ask you to rule in my heart now and extinguish the turmoil I have within. Then, I can experience your peace that passes all understanding.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 13:28-29
I bow before you, my Creator, with thanksgiving because Christ lives in me, and I am your child. Thank you that you are always with me, and you guide me with your counsel while on earth. And afterward, you promise to take me to live with you forever. So then, please continue to make me holy, day by day, as I trust Jesus to put away sin in my life.
My Thanksgiving Prayer for You
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27
I have asked God to strengthen your faith in Jesus so you will trust Him today and not worry about tomorrow. I also prayed that you would expect God to provide for you in dark times, though you have no idea how. By faith, you will thank Him anyway because you trust His good plans for your life.
So then, may God encourage and strengthen your faith to keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus and not on your difficulties. May you be grateful for the comfort, peace, and joy that come from the Holy Spirit as you rely on Him. I thank God for you, and I am confident that by faith, you will give thanks in all circumstances. And it is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
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Bible study for “Give Thanks”
Week 1: Job 1:20-22; 2:9-10; 42:2; Job 1:1-22; 2:1-9; Psalms 5:1-3; 7:17; 8:1-2; 9:1-2, 7-10; 18:6, 16, 23:1-6; 25:1-6; 27:1-2, 7-8, 13-14; 28:6-7; 33:4, 18-22; 34:4-10, 15-19; 38:8; 68:19; 72:12; 73:23-26; 84:10-12
Week 2: Psalms 100:1-5; 121; 106:1; 107:1-43; 118:28-29; 119:89-90, 106; 136:1-26; Proverbs 3:5-12; 21:30; Isaiah 40:25-31; 41:10-13; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 32:17-19, 26-27
Week 3: Matthew 6:8-15, 24-34; 11:28-30; 19:26; Mark 9:23-24; Luke 1:37; John 14:1, 27; 15:4-8; Romans 5:1-5; 8:18, 26-39, 1 Corinthians 15:56-58; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 4:16-18; 5:7; 12:9-10; Galatians 5:22-23
Week 4: Ephesians 3:14-17; 5:18-20; Philippians 4:4-7, 10-13, 19-20; Colossians 3:1-4, 15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 11:1, 6; 12:28-29; 13:15-16, 20-21; James 1:2-4, 12; 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 4:12-19; 5:6-7; 2 Peter 1:3-4
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I loved this post…especially Rodger’s comment that he accepted God’s will whatever it was!!! Also your words that praise makes the enemy flee! Wonderful words of challenge as well as encouragement. Thank you my friend.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! It is encouraging for me to know that God used “Give Thanks” to both encourage you and also to challenge you. I am continually challenged by what God gave me as well.
This has been my favorite post so far. Thanks for your words mom. ❤️
Thank you for the encouragement “little Bear!”